In 1996, R.A. Dickey was the Texas Rangers’ much-heralded No. 1 draft choice. Then, a routine physical revealed that his right elbow was missing its ulnar collateral ligament, and his lifelong dream—along with his $810,000 signing bonus—was ripped away. Yet, despite twice being consigned to baseball’s scrap heap, Dickey battled back. Sustained by his Christian faith, the love of his wife and children, and a relentless quest for self-awareness, Dickey is now the starting pitcher for the Toronoto Blue Jays (he was previously a star pitcher for the New York Mets) and one of the National League’s premier players, as well as the winner of the 2012 Cy Young award.

In Wherever I Wind Up, Dickey eloquently shares his quintessentially American tale of overcoming extraordinary odds to achieve a game, a career, and a life unlike any other.

Praise

“It’s a gripping memoir, a brutally honest account of family woes, childhood abuse and his failures as a husband and father. But it’s also a meditation on contemporary baseball that is insightful without throwing anyone under the bus, save the author himself. (And maybe Alex Rodriguez.) It might be the finest piece of nonfiction baseball writing since Ball Four. Perhaps above all, it’s a classic epic quest, a flawed hero’s unlikely odyssey to the major leagues and to discovering the mystical pitch that helped him get there.” –Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated

“R.A. Dickey is one of the coolest athletes I’ve ever met—a great mixture of soul and intellect. He wanted to write his own book with the same passion he brings to his knuckleball or working the heart of the dugout between starts. This is an athlete worth knowing better.” –George Vescy, New York Times

“R.A. Dickey has a baseball story that is unlike anybody else’s. If every player had his character, work ethic, and makeup, it would put a lot of managers and coaches out of work, because there would be no need for them.” –Buck Showalter, manager of the Baltimore Orioles

“MLB’s only active knuckleballer–boasts a story compelling enough to be told forthwith…. Dickey credits his faith with overcoming myriad trials both personal and professional, but it never feels as if he’s preaching. Once an English-lit major and now a starting pitcher for the New York Mets, the author emerges as one of baseball’s good guys, and someone who can write as well as he pitches. Dickey has set a new standard for athlete autobiographies.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Nobody in baseball has overcome more obstacles than R.A. Dickey, and nobody writes about them with more honesty and insight. R.A. doesn’t want to be called a hero, but he is exactly that, and when you read about his life’s journey and his courage, you will agree with me. This is an awesome book by an awesome man." –Orel Hershiser, ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst, former MLB All-Star